Targeted genome correction by a single adenoviral vector simultaneously carrying an inducible zinc finger nuclease and a donor template

Abstract

Zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) technology, which can be used to induce targeted genome correction in the presence of a DNA donor template, is becoming an attractive strategy for treating monogenic diseases. This strategy requires efficient delivery of ZFN and donor template into cells, ideally, in a single viral vector to achieve efficient genome editing and to avoid unwanted mutagenesis. In this study, we successfully produced a single adenoviral (Ad) vector with high titer that carried a ZFN expression cassette and a donor template simultaneously. We then demonstrated that this single Ad system could mediate efficient site-specific genome correction in vitro and ex vivo. The gene correction efficiency of the single Ad was significantly higher than that of the double Ad system. This novel vector will be a promising ZFN and donor delivery system for treatment of monogenic diseases.

Keywords: Adenoviral vector; Genome editing; Homologous recombination; Site-specific integration; Zinc finger nuclease.